How to Use Wire Guardians for Beaded Fringe Earrings

Bugle bead earring component next to wire guardian

 

There are a variety of ways to attach findings to beadwork. One very secure and attractive way is to use wire guardians. Wire guardians are small, U-shaped metal findings that are used to protect the ends of beading wire or thread from wear and tear. Wire guardians may also be called wire guards, thread protectors, or wire protectors. They are convenient to use and they can help prevent the thread on your handmade bead jewelry from breaking or coming undone. One way to use them is as the hanging loop for brick stitch fringe earrings.

About Bugle Beads in Jewelry Making

A variety of bugle bead sizes, types and brands

Bugle beads are long, narrow beads that are often used in bead weaving and other handmade jewelry projects. They can be made from a variety of materials, but most often they are made from glass, and sometimes metal. The beads are made from glass tubes or metal tubes that are cut to the desired size. They may have additional shaping to make them more interesting, such as twists or shaping that gives them facets that reflect light.

This article will look at the different types of bugle beads and how you can incorporate them into your jewelry designs, as well as some issues you may encounter using them.

Types of Seed Beads Used in Jewelry Making

Different types of seed beads including cylinder and round seed beads.

Getting Started with Seed Beads

Getting started making jewelry with seed beads seems like it should be easy.  You've got one or more types of seed beads, a beading needle and beading thread, possibly something you'd like to add some decoration to with bead embroidery or some findings to make jewelry. You may already have a project in mind, so what else do you need to know?

Honestly, getting started making bead jewelry is that easy - and can be very enjoyable, but once you get started you'll find that the little differences in the shape and size of your seed beads can make a huge difference in your finished project. To have more control over your finished beadwork, you'll want to know more about the types of beads, the sizes they are available in, and what beading stitches they are best suited for. 

This article will describe common types of seed beads, how to identify what types of beads you have or should buy, how to find the best beads for your project or how to find suitable projects for the beads you already own.

Hercules Fishing Line: Perfect for Beadwork including Fringe

Hercules is a brand of braided fishing line that is also an affordable, durable, and versatile beading thread. It can be used in place of other fishing threads that are used for beadwork like FireLine and PowerPro. One major benefit to Hercules brand is that it is less expensive than many other brands of fishing line that are often used for beading. But there are other benefits to using Hercules fishing line besides its affordability.

Beadographer Beading Design Software Review

 Have you heard of, or tried, Beadographer bead design software? 

Beadographer is a web-based bead weaving pattern design tool. If you currently draw your beadwork patterns by hand on bead graph paper and are looking to do this on your computer or I-Pad instead, beadographer is the tool that can help you do that. 

There are several advantages to using bead design applications over designing on paper. I like that bead programs give a more realistic representation of my project. Most create the bead grids based on the size and type of beads you specify and provide the approximate finished size of the project. They also have libraries of the different bead colors for different manufacturers, so you're not limited to marker or pencil colors - and you can even get an idea of how different bead finishes will look. Of course, you don't need to worry about erasing and changing colors. Doing those is super easy.

Prior to Beadographer, I used BeadTool 4, but there are a few features of Beadographer that I think really make it stand out, so I'll make sure to tell you those. Before I get there, I'll start with the basic info.

Rio Grande Jewelry Findings and Supplies Review

Rio Grande is a reputable supplier of metals, findings, diamonds and gemstones, tools, finished jewelry, displays, packaging and anything else a jewelry crafter or designer needs. Their selection ranges from base metals like stainless steel, brass, bronze and copper to precious metals including argentium silver, sterling silver, gold filled, karat gold and even platinum. I'm guessing their customer base is mostly jewelry businesses and more advanced hobbyists.

This article is a review of jewelry making products that I've purchased from Rio Grande. It is meant for my personal reference to remember which products I like, which were different than what I expected, how the item held up over time, what I want to reorder, etc. 

If you find it useful, that's great - but remember it's just my opinion. (And opinions are like a**holes, everyone has one). There are no affiliate links in this article, all of these items were purchased by me, and if you would like to add your 2 cents about items from Rio Grande you like or dislike, please add it in the comments.

2 Ways to Make Wire Jump Rings for Jewelry Making

Jump rings are a necessity for jewelry making. Jump rings are used to hang pendants, join components and attach findings such as clasps and earring wires. Having a variety of jump rings on hand can mean the difference between finishing a jewelry project or waiting for supplies to be delivered.

No matter how many types, styles and sizes of jump rings I have on hand, there are always times I can't find the jump rings that I need.

So, the question is, do you buy more jump rings or should you learn how to make your own jump rings?

ParaWire Jewelry Making Wire Review

Choosing jewelry wire is a very important part of the jewelry making process.

 Jewelry wire can affect

•        how easy it is to make your project
•        the visual appeal
•        the cost of making the jewelry and therefore the price (if you are selling) and
•        how long the finished jewelry will last.

With so much depending on the wire you choose, it makes sense to find a good quality jewelry making wire. Read on for my recent experience using ParaWire.

Tips for Rounding Wire Jewelry Cut Ends with Ease

One simple step to improve your wire jewelry making is to make sure your cut ends are smooth and burr free. 

And getting a smooth wire end isn't very hard - if you have the right tools.

Improve Your Jewelry Loops with 6-Step Bail Pliers

 Are you ready to try a new round nose plier for your wire jewelry making?  

This is a comfortable, easy to use round nose plier that will:

• improve the consistency of your loop size
• provide nice circular shaped loops
• allow you to make larger sized loops and curves.

 If that sounds good, then a pair of 6 step looping (aka bail making) pliers is just what you need.

I am a surprised by how long it took for me to use these round nose 6 step pliers for all my wire loop making. I guess old habits die hard, but now I rarely reach for my tapered round nose pliers to make loops. I think these looping pliers are great for beginner wire jewelry makers.

2021 Bead and Jewelry Maker's Holiday Gift Guide

 This week, I figured I would share some of my favorite recent bead and jewelry related purchases. Who knows, maybe these are perfect gifts for someone on your list, or perfect for you to add to your holiday wish list.

First up are some favorites to help bead organized. Finding materials is a huge challenge for me since I love to buy supplies and tools. I've recently stumbled upon these hanging jewelry organizers that are perfect for storing tubes of beads, spools of thread, findings and other supplies.

What is the Best Thread for Beading? Nymo, FireLine or Something Else?

Selecting the best thread for your seed bead projects can be tricky, especially since it often depends on the bead weaving stitch or the project you are making. 

There are lots of choices for thread material, thread size, needle size as well as thread conditioners. All of this can add up to a big headache for new beaders looking to make the best choice.  

The size and type of thread you choose for your beadwork can influence:

• how easily the thread goes through the beads
• how many times you can put the thread through the beads
• how easily the thread will tangle or knot when you're stitching
• if you need to condition the thread before using it
• if the thread will stretch once you've completed your project
• if the thread will fray and therefore how long your beadwork will last and how easy it is to stitch
• how well the thread will hold tension in your beadwork
• the best method for tying off the thread
• how stiff or supple your finished beadwork will be (i.e. fringe)
• and there's probably more...

Your thread choice and the colors it is available in will even affect the color of your beads! 

With so much riding on this decision, shouldn't you spend a little time to know about your beading thread options?

How to Make a Bracelet Jewelry Display

Here's my second go at making my own jewelry displays - this time a bracelet display.  If you missed it, the first time I showed how to make necklace and bracelet ramp displays using a nice sturdy Lululemon box and upholstery fabric remnants.

This bracelet display is a cross between a pillow and a hump. (does that make it a hillow or a pillump?) And of course, I'll show you how I made it.

Best Tools to Make Perfect Wire Rosary Loops

Jewelry making seems like a constant process of one step forwards, two steps back. Just when you think you've perfected a technique, it seems to make sense to step back and re-evaluate what you know - either because you read a new tip, there's a new tool, the wire you are working with is a different thickness, temper, etc.

Or is it just me?

I guess I have to leave that possibility open. I'm sure there are plenty of jewelry makers who learned to make a wire loop with their standard round nose pliers, checked the box and moved on.  That's most definitely NOT me.

My free tutorial this month at The Spruce Crafts is how to make a traditional five decade rosary.

One thing about making this type of rosary - if you weren't an expert at loops when you started, you sure as heck probably are when you're finished!  But, in this case, I think a new tool made all the difference.

Chinese Knotting Cord for Macrame Bracelets

Chinese knotting cord refers to a type of smooth round braided nylon cord that is well suited for making traditional chinese decorative knots or macramé. 

It comes in a wide range of colors and sizes from .5 mm to 4 mm and possibly thicker. The bracelets above range from 1 mm to 3mm in thickness.

Sample of Chinese knotting cord colors in yellow family

Chinese knotting cord has a round shape and silky finish, but holds knots well due to the braided texture of the cord. It comes in a variety of spools sizes (mine are mostly 100 meters) and is very cost effective (it's inexpensive). 

Organizing Beads to Take on a Trip (Kit XChange)

I love to take my beadwork with me when I travel. It doesn't matter whether it's a couple of hours in the car or I'm going across the country - if I'm going to be away from housework and cooking for a few days, I figure I'm going to have time to bead and make jewelry.

A big challenge is deciding what to bring on the trip and how to pack it all. The decision on what to take hasn't gotten any easier, but I may have found what I think is the solution for how to travel with my beads. This was my beading projects and supplies for my most recent trip in August.

Micro-Mosaic Class and Looming Projects

If each new year were a race, it would be safe to say that I come off the blocks too quickly and lose my kick by the end of the race.  I need to learn to pace myself.

And so this year starts like most before it - tons of ideas swirling in my head.  Ideas on ways to improve my websites, new products to design or build, lists of new interests or techniques to explore... plans, plans, plans!

Perhaps this year will be different and the momentum will continue throughout the year.  But, probably what's more important is that I still find things that I enjoy and the energy to do them.

Among some other things, I started this year by breaking out of my shell and trying something new - a class in micro-mosaic at the Bead and Design Show in Pasadena.  These are the class projects - can you guess which is mine?

By the way, the show is over today, but they'll also be in Tucson later this month and Costa Mesa and Santa Clara in March.

Leather and Crystal Loom Bead Bracelet

Still playing with making Chan Luu style leather bracelets with my new Mirrix Loom.

I emailed Mirrix after my first batch of bracelets to ask how other people made this style of bracelet with their loom.  They were quick to respond with some different options of how to set up the loom.  I'll be taking a look at that over the weekend to see if there is anything that works better.

Until then, I decided to play with my new crystal beads (and new buttons) from the gem show last weekend and make this crystal bead leather bracelet.

Making a Beading Mat (Beading Tray)

If you've been following my blog for any time, you probably know that I like to take my beading and jewelry making to go.  Mostly, that means to my kids baseball and softball games - but it also means to various parts of my house.  

I'm always trying different ways to take my beading with me - from how I store my beads to the dishes I put them in when beading to the work surface.

This post is about my portable work surface, or beading tray.  One that I made myself, of course.

Making Holes in Coins for Jewelry

Making holes in metal items is so helpful when you want to customize a jewelry finding or use a souvenir or found object in your jewelry making.

 

It's a super easy thing to do with the right tools - and the right tools are definitely not a drill.  And of course, I'll show you the projects I made with the customized findings and drilled coins you see here.